Active clinical trials for "Shy-Drager Syndrome"

Study Hypothesis: - Does a treatment with Minocycline of 2 x daily 2 x 50 mg effect the progression of clinical symptoms and diagnosis in patients with MSA? Background and Rationale: The Parkinson-Syndrome which is characterised by the clinical triad akinesis, rigor and passive tremor, is caused by Parkinson's disease (PD) in about 70 % of the cases (Oertel et al., 2003). However, beside the Parkinson's disease there are several, to some extent rare, so-called atypical Parkinson's syndromes. The two most frequent of these atypical Parkinson-Syndromes are the Multi-System-Atrophy (MSA) and the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). Due to the often much varying courses and since they are not well known, these diseases are frequently diagnosed late or not diagnosed at all. Nevertheless, an early diagnosis is substantial for further treatment, since the prognosis and therapy of atypical Parkinson Syndromes differ essentially from those of PD. Whereas the neuronal death of cells in PD is restricted essentially to the Substantia nigra, a dominant destruction of neurons in brain stem, Cerebellum and Striatum additionally happens in cases of MSA and PSP. Up to now no adequate treatment strategies are at disposal. Initially the giving of L-Dopa can lead to an improvement for < 10% of the patients only. Minocycline is an antibiotic belonging to the group of the Tetracyclines. Recently, it could be demonstrated that Minocycline has a neuroprotective impact besides the anti-inflammatory impact.

This study will comprise of two phases, an observational phase and a treatment phase. In the observational phase the specific aims are: 1. To determine the presence and regional distribution of microglial activation, as assessed by 18F-PBR06 PET, in subjects with MSA as compared to healthy controls, at baseline and at 6-9 months' follow-up. 2. To assess the relationship between microglial activation and clinical progression at baseline and follow-up. In the treatment phase the specific aims of the study are: The specific aims of the study are: To assess whether verdiperstat (BHV-3241) reduces 18F-PBR06 PET signal, and thus microglial activation and inflammation, in well-characterized MSA patients. To assess the relationship between PET changes and clinical progression at baseline and follow-up in patients treated with verdiperstat. To assess the relationship between PET changes and volumetric brain MRI at baseline and follow-up in patients treated with verdiperstat. Currently there is no known disease modifying therapy for MSA. Recently, the drug verdiperstat (BHV-3241) has appeared in the investigational arena specifically for the indication of Multiple System Atrophy. Verdiperstat (BHV-3241) is currently being used in a phase 3 active drug trial at Massachusetts Hospital. Verdiperstat (BHV-3241) is known to target Myeloperoxidase, an enzyme implicated in neuroinflammation, a major driver in disease pathogenesis. Our previous study (IRB protocol #2016P002373) demonstrated that applying TSPO (translator protein) PET imaging enabled us to track changes in neuroinflammation and thus provide a viable biomarker for disease progression. In this pilot study, the investigators aim to assess the effect of an investigational drug, verdiperstat (BHV-3241) on microglial activation in MSA patients using [F-18]PBR06 and to link it with clinical and morphometric MRI brain changes following treatment.

AZD3241 myeloperoxidase (MPO) inhibitor trial is assessing safety and tolerability, randomized trial, in patients with Multiple System Atrophy.

Neurodegenerative cerebellar ataxias represent a group of disabling disorders for which we currently lack effective therapies. Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive technique, which has been demonstrated to modulate cerebellar excitability and improve symptoms in patients with cerebellar ataxias. In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study, the investigators will evaluate whether a two-weeks' treatment with cerebellar anodal tDCS and spinal cathodal tDCS can improve symptoms in patients with neurodegenerative cerebellar ataxia and can modulate cerebello-motor connectivity, at short and long term.

Evaluate the effects of L-Threo DOPS on orthostatic hypotension symptoms and other non-motor symptoms in patients with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) after 12 weeks following randomization to continued therapy with droxidopa or placebo.

Parkinson disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) are progressive neurodegenerative disorders characterized by abnormal accumulation of α-synuclein. There is no effective treatment that can slow down the disease progression and both disorders are associated with severe cognitive decline. It was shown that intranasal insulin (INI) improves learning and memory in healthy and cognitively impaired non-diabetic adults. The proof-of-concept, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over pilot study ( NCT01206322) has shown that a single 40 international units dose of intranasal insulin improves visuospatial memory in diabetes and control subjects. This proposal includes randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial of intranasal insulin (40 international units daily) in treatment of PD and MSA. The study will evaluate 22 patients with PD and 22 patients with MSA. Total duration of the study will be 2 years. The primary goal is to assess the efficacy of INI in treatment of cognitive abnormalities in both PD and MSA. The primary efficacy end point will be change of the cognitive scale ratings.

Patients referred to neurosurgery routinely and safely undergo deep brain stimulation (DBS) for treatment of symptoms related to neurodegenerative conditions, most commonly Parkinson's disease. In the investigators experience, and published evidence shows, that stimulation has effects on the autonomic nervous system. In patients undergoing therapeutic DBS for a particular subtype of Parkinsonism, Multiple System Atrophy, the further effects on autonomic parameters such as blood pressure and bladder symptoms as well as the originally intended indications (gait and movement disorder) will be investigated. The mechanisms of any effects will also be studied by using a number of techniques such as magnetoencephalography (MEG) and Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity (MSNA) recording. Key goals are to: Demonstrate that stimulation of the peduculopontine nucleus (PPN) improves autonomic function and has an attendant improvement on patients' quality of life Investigate the role of the PPN and how it interacts with other brain areas. This translational strategy will lead to a larger efficacy study of DBS for MSA as well as revolutionizing neural-based treatments in other autonomic disorders such as orthostatic hypotension and pure autonomic failure.

Neurodegenerative cerebellar ataxias represent a group of disabling disorders which currently lack effective therapies. Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive technique, which has been demonstrated to modulate cerebellar excitability and improve symptoms in patients with cerebellar ataxias. In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study followed by an open-label phase, the investigators will evaluate whether a repetition of two-weeks' treatment with cerebellar anodal tDCS and spinal cathodal tDCS, after a three months interval, may further outlast clinical improvement in patients with neurodegenerative cerebellar ataxia and can modulate cerebello-motor connectivity, at short and long term.

A purpose of the present study is to investigate the capability of serum uric acid elevation, safety, and tolerability of inosine 5'-monophosphate in patients with multiple system atrophy with multicenter, randomized, placebo controlled, parallel assigned design. This may provide the cornerstone for future extended trial in multiple system atrophy, a debilitating disease to date.

Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a progressive sporadic neurodegenerative disorder leading to widespread loss of brain cells that results in parkinsonian, cerebellar and autonomic dysfunction. The cause of the MSA remains unclear. Available treatment is symptomatic only and does not alter the course of disease. Although the cause of MSA remains unclear, there is evidence of presence of common neuroinflammatory mechanisms in the MSA brains including activation of microglia and production of toxic cytokines. This research protocol is based on hypothesis that the MSA progression can be altered by blocking the neuroinflammatory activity. This protocol includes administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). IVIg contains antibodies derived from human plasma which can block the inflammatory responses in the brain that can lead to loss of brain cells.